Pricey Games - How We Value Games

Too Many Prices
Sure, I could add a game's...

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Obviously, value is a relative term, but I find it quite helpful to have a game’s price included. If you make it MSRP, that is standard across the board. From there, consumers can investigate options for purchase.

I believe that MSRP at the time of writing is appropriate as a bar with which to compare others from an apples/apples standpoint, and then within the game text review itself, one should be clear about the value proposition as well.

One thing I have learned the hard way is that games based on some kind of licensed content (Star Wars, Marvel, Firefly, etc) tend to go out of print permanently, and command a high price in the used game market.

I used to worry a lot about the price of a game until I became comfortable that it was just a hobby like going to concerts, the theatre, sporting events, the cinema, buying physical music or art, and the price per play is minimal in comparison - especially as some of my bigger games get tens of hours of play (with multiple people), and then if I get exhausted of it I can sell it of it for at least half price.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA is another one.

Sometimes this leads to a company re-skinning the mechanics onto a new game - UNFATHOMABLE in the case of BSG .

There is no need to get into all the complexities of disposable income, value, etc. There’s no point, because as you mention, you can’t really know how another person will perceive it.

You can list the msrp and let others decide what they think about it. I also don’t think it would be inappropriate for you to say how you feel about the price you paid if you feel it’s worth mentioning it… your opinion makes up 100% of the content of your review anyway.

In most cases it’s not really important. I see people say things like “they are charging 60$, but to my eyes this feels like a 50$ game”. Im not a fan of this kind of comment because such a small spread can be explained by many factors… size of print run, etc. But if you are reviewing a game by Chip Theory Games or any other premium product and don’t mention the cost I feel you are doing your audience a disservice.